Zonta International Awards

Zonta International offers four awards to honour individuals and projects making a significant impact in advancing gender equality and women's rights worldwide. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in areas such as business, STEM, public affairs and the aerospace industry.

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

The Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship program helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom.

Applications open now!

  • The award is open to women pursuing an undergraduate or master’s business program with major field of specialisation in accounting, economics, finance, business management, business technology, information technology, marketing, operations management, human resources management, international business or entrepreneurship.

  • The recipient will have achieved an outstanding academic record during her academic studies, including business subjects and have demonstrated initiative, ambition and commitment to pursuing a career in business.

  • The Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship is a terrific opportunity that offers:

    • $1000 AUD to a winner at the Club Level

    • $5000 USD to 6 winners at the Zonta International Level

    Since the program’s inception, Zonta has awarded up to 700 scholarships, totalling more than US$1.6 million, to more than 500 women representing 66 countries.

  • Applications for the 2024 Jane M. Klausman Scholarship are open!

    More information here.

  • Tara McCarthy

    2023 WINNER

  • Clare Isaac

    2022 WINNER

  • Hannah Kneubuhler

    2021 WINNER

  • Molly Kenworthy

    2020 WNNER

Women in STEM

The Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship was established in 2022 to help women pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree program and demonstrate outstanding potential in their field of interest.

Applications Open Now!

  • Women are underrepresented in many industries, however STEM remains to be a predominantly male field. The Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship seeks to create more opportunities and support girls in their STEM field of interest.

  • The Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship is open to women of any age and nationality, pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree program at an accredited university, college or institute, and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible.

  • The recipient will meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate outstanding potential in the STEM field.

  • The successful club applicant will receive $1000 AUD and will be submitted for a District 22 or Queensland wide winner.

    The District 22 winner is then submitted for consideration for an international scholarship of $5000 USD.

    A single candidate from each of Zonta’s 31 districts and one region will receive this international scholarship.

  • Margaux Edwards

    2023 WINNER

    Margaux is studying Mechatronics Engineering at QUT and has a passion for robotics & mentoring girls in RoboCup competitions.

Young Women in Public Affairs

The Young Women in Public Affairs was established in 1990 by past International Zonta President Leneen Forde, of Zonta Club of Brisbane! The award offers young women that demonstrate leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes.

  • According to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, only 25.1% of all national parliamentarians were female as of 1 October 2020. Zonta International believes that young women are the key to women’s advancement in the field of public service.

  • Women, aged 16-19 on 1 April each year, studying at a secondary school, college or university in a Zonta district/region, or who are studying elsewhere but are citizens of a Zonta country are eligible to apply. 

  • The award will be awarded to a women able to demonstrate evidence of the following:

    • Active commitment to volunteerism.

    • Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).

    • Volunteer leadership achievements.

    • Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.

    • Support in Zonta International's mission of building a better world for women and girls.

  • The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region and international levels. Zonta clubs provide awards for club recipients, and district/region and international awards are funded by the Zonta International Foundation.

    • At the club level, award winners receive $1000 AUD

    • At the district level, recipients receive $1500 USD

    • At the international level, 10 recipients are selected from the district/region recipients to receive awards of $4,000 USD each.

    Established in 1990 by Past International President Leneen Forde, Zonta has given 971 awards, US$1,109,250, to 819 young women from 58 countries.

  • Charlotte Gillies

    2023 WINNER

    An Australian National University student, Charlotte was the Zonta Club of Brisbane winner and went on to be named as one of 31 international recipients of the award.

  • Sophie Nakamura

    2022 WINNER

    An outstanding candidate, Sophie has started her own project around sustainability called the Clothing Library, which enables students access to clothing.

Amelia Earhart Fellowship

Established in 1938 to honour Amelia Earhart, a Zontian, the Fellowship awards 30 women yearly to pursuing aerospace PhD or doctoral degrees at universities worldwide.

  • Globally, women make up around 25 percent of the workforce in the aerospace industry. In an effort to carry out its mission that women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, Zonta International offers the Amelia Earhart Fellowship.

  • Awarded annually, up to 30 women pursuing Ph.D. or doctoral degrees in aerospace-applied sciences or aerospace-applied engineering. It may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields.

  • The Amelia Earhart Fellowship offers US$10,000 to be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in aerospace applied science or engineering fields.

    Since the program’s inception in 1938, Zonta has awarded 1,603 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totalling more than US$10.3 million, to 1,174 women representing 73 countries.

  • Closing dates for application go to the Zonta International website.

  • The full list of international winners can be found on the Zonta International website.